A Comparative Study of Wh-Words in Chinese Efl Textbooks, Elicited Native and Non-Native Speaker Data and Written Native and Non-Native Speaker Corpora

A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School of Humanities of the University of Birmingham for the Degree of Doctor of Philosopy

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Health & Well Being, Self Help
Cover of the book A Comparative Study of Wh-Words in Chinese Efl Textbooks, Elicited Native and Non-Native Speaker Data and Written Native and Non-Native Speaker Corpora by Feifei Zhang, AuthorHouse
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Feifei Zhang ISBN: 9781504910866
Publisher: AuthorHouse Publication: June 24, 2015
Imprint: AuthorHouse Language: English
Author: Feifei Zhang
ISBN: 9781504910866
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Publication: June 24, 2015
Imprint: AuthorHouse
Language: English

This study presents a corpus-based analysis of the use of wh sentences by language learners, in language textbooks and in authentic written discourse. It focuses on the polysemeous nature of wh words, which can be used as interrogatives, declaratives and to introduce subordinate clauses. The analysis of wh sentences in EFL textbooks showed that there are more prototypical examples at low proficiency levels. When teaching the interrogative, textbooks focus almost exclusively on grammatical words, particularly at the beginners level. The analysis of wh sentences elicited from Chinese speaking learners of English and Expert users of English suggested that the prototypical structure is very strong in both sets of data, although native speakers tend to use more prefabricated chunks of language. The analysis of wh sentences from native speakers and non-native speakers written corpora suggested that subordinate clauses are strongly present in both corpora, except for the word why in non-native speakers data. The use of different words occurring immediately after wh words in the two corpora can be explained by (1) the relatively small vocabulary size of the L2 speakers; (2) non-native speakers lack of awareness of restricted collocations; (3) L1 transfer; (4) over/under-generalization of rules and (5) textbooks.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This study presents a corpus-based analysis of the use of wh sentences by language learners, in language textbooks and in authentic written discourse. It focuses on the polysemeous nature of wh words, which can be used as interrogatives, declaratives and to introduce subordinate clauses. The analysis of wh sentences in EFL textbooks showed that there are more prototypical examples at low proficiency levels. When teaching the interrogative, textbooks focus almost exclusively on grammatical words, particularly at the beginners level. The analysis of wh sentences elicited from Chinese speaking learners of English and Expert users of English suggested that the prototypical structure is very strong in both sets of data, although native speakers tend to use more prefabricated chunks of language. The analysis of wh sentences from native speakers and non-native speakers written corpora suggested that subordinate clauses are strongly present in both corpora, except for the word why in non-native speakers data. The use of different words occurring immediately after wh words in the two corpora can be explained by (1) the relatively small vocabulary size of the L2 speakers; (2) non-native speakers lack of awareness of restricted collocations; (3) L1 transfer; (4) over/under-generalization of rules and (5) textbooks.

More books from AuthorHouse

Cover of the book Massa Day Done by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Paddling & Pastimes by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Spokane by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Voices of Reality by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Kidd's Country Grocery by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book The Meadow Cries by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Free by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book The Runaway Cricket by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Never Alone by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book The Seeker of the Creator by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Faith to Heal Breast Cancer by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Some Other Time by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book My Journey to Britain by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book The Johnsons by Feifei Zhang
Cover of the book Nightshade Can Be Deadly by Feifei Zhang
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy